Lonestar Test Preparation

GRE Text Completion Techniques

(Filling in blanks using sentence context)

The sentences in the sentence completion sections of the SAT and GRE are
not normal sentences. The information you use to fill in the blank must always
come from the sentence itself, not from outside knowledge or common sense.

Put your own word in the blank (recycle terminology when
possible), and eliminate any answer choices that don't match your word.

Use the information in the sentence that talks about the same thing the blank
talks about. This is usually the most descriptive part of the sentence and
is often separated grammatically from the blank by some sort of punctuation.

In his latest analysis, he allowed a number of -------- results
to slip by.

inaccurate

verifiable

redundant

salient

anomalous

Usually the first to spot data that were inconsistent with other
findings, he allowed a number of
-------- results to slip by in his latest analysis.

inaccurate

verifiable

redundant

salient

anomalous

Usually the first to spot the most significant data points,
he allowed a number of -------- results to
slip by in his latest analysis.

inaccurate

verifiable

redundant

salient

anomalous

Notice grammatically important words and punctuation
marks. Look for words that signal contrast such as "but," "however," "although," and
"despite."

Despite the fact that the two politicians belonged to different
political parties, they ------ the issue of how to finance the town debt.

attested to

differed on

avoided

reported on

agreed on

Because the two politicians belonged to different
political parties, they --------- the issue of how to finance the town debt.

attested to

differed on

avoided

reported on

agreed on

Do one blank at a time. For SAT Sentence completions with two
blanks, usually it's best to do each blank separately, starting with the blank
that's easier to make up a word for.

Although Turner is very outspoken on issues
she cares about, she is not --------; she concedes the -------- of opposing
arguments when they expose flaws inherent in her own.

arrogant. . restraint

congenial . . incompatibility

fanatical . . strengths

fickle . . validity

unyielding . . speciousness

However, sometimes you have to look at how the blanks relate to each other:

Despite the fact that the two politicians belonged to -------
political parties, they ------- the issue of how to finance the town debt.